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Vaux Northern League leaders Darwen are expecting a bumper Birch Hall crowd for tomorrow's vital derby clash with neighbours Chorley.

And Darwen, who remain unbeaten in the league so far this season, will be unchanged as they attempt to put third-placed Chorley out of the championship race.

Victory for the Birch Hall side would virtually cut their visitors adrift from the top two but it promises to be a tight game.

The teams have met twice so far - both games at Chorley - with Darwen winning the previous league game but losing out in the Vaux Samson Cup semi-finals.

For Chorley it is a weekend of crucial importance in both the League and the National Knockout Club Championship.

They will be all-out to end Darwen's impressive unbeaten league records tomorrow.

And on Sunday a 1,000-plus crowd is expected at Windsor Park for a classic Roses clash when Chorley take on Yorkshire League champions Harrogate for a place in the quarter finals of the National Knockout Cup.

Harrogate were beaten semi finalists last season and in 1997 lost in the final at Lords.

A big bonus for Chorley is the return of experienced free scoring opening batsman Russell Cake after being unavailable for several weeks through work commitments.